Ambien for long term
Common Questions and Answers about Ambien for long term
ambien
If he took it every day then he will definitely get some withdrawal symptoms. Ambien is generally not meant for every day long term use as a sleep aide. It can be addictive. Rozerem is a much safer option which is non addictive and works exactly like melatonin to adjust the sleep cycle. You can't determine long term side effects from a medication after two days. The body takes a while to adjust. They are always rebound symptoms as well.
My dad has been taking Zolpidem for over 3 years and recently I found out Zolpidem is used for treating short term insomnia. I'd like to know if it can be used for long term and if whether there are any medications available which can be used for long term treatment.
He lost his memory completely and now has terrible problems with visual perception, short term and long term memory among other things. Rehab was long and hard. He has regained his sight, speech and movement but he did not regain his past memory and had to relearn everything.
In Dec 2007 (2 1/2 years after the brain injury) his neurologist prescribed Ambien to him hoping it would have similar effects (waking up what appear to be dead brain cells) it has had for coma patients.
I have always had a slight phobia of going to sleep since what happened in the past (hypnic jerks when dozing, and being up for almost a week). Ambien is what originally allowed me to sleep. I was stable for many years, but I still had an uneasiness about sleep just by looking at my bed. So I would pop a partial piece of ambien (usually about 1/4 pill). At first it was maybe every other night or every 3rd night. Just enough to get me past the onset of sleep.
I'm no doctor, so I definitely can't give you any medical information on Ambien, but I can relay my personal experience with it.
I've been on Ambien (currently 10mg) for SEVERAL years now (5 or more). I have many chronic pain conditions, including fibroymalgia. One of the major symptoms of fibro is insomnia - which I definitely suffer from!
I thankfully have kicked Percocet, Xanax, and vicodin, separately, over the last year. And that other one. Those were huge steps for me. The last drug on board this body is ambien cr... And it's time for you to get off the bus! (im all enthusiastic now...lol). My addictions started when I lost my last and closest blood family member, my dad. It was a long painfull passing. He himself, addicted to painkillers... But a good dad. I love him so much.
Why am I stopping?
Fear.
you need to get yourself help ASAP. Suicide is a LONG term (irreversible) solution to a short term problem.
I know you are hurting right now...but it won't be like this forever. Getting more Ambien isn't the answer either unfortunately.....b/c it isn't going to fix your long-term problem, and you will have to face this eventually.
You may also try posting on the addiction forum..there are some wonderful, helpful people there. You can come out on the other side of this...
Was the car accident after he stopped the ambien? And if so, how long after?
When you say taking in large doses, exactly how many at a time and how often?
I feel you might have taken quite few medications for your sleeplessness over years and so want to stop further. Ambien is good choice for treatment of insomnia, but it is intended for short-term use. Elavil/Endep can be tried if you are not comfortable with Ambien and it is a non-addictive drug. Try to relax and plan a healthy sleeping habit on a long-term basis. Avoid coffee/tea, smoking, alcohol and a bulky spicy meal at nights.
What I found best was a psychopharmocologist because they are medication specialists.The concern your psychiatrist has about Ambien being potentially addictive long term for anyone is a valid one and you can read more about it on the medication website. There are other options as regards sleep aides. One option is Rozerem which is an FDA approved medication that is safe and non addictive and works like melatonin to adjust the sleep cycle.
There is no known reaction between these medications. Melatonin isn't usually used for insomnia because it doesn't work very well. Ambien is only meant to be used for short term use which often results in worsening of insomnia (sometimes worse than it ever was) when trying to come off the medication.
A Harvard study in 2004 demonstrated medications are not the best treatment for insomnia, but rather Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) is better.
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